As the last week of summer break comes to a close, fall semester begins. As school begins, many students set goals before winter break. Whether it's to get straight As, have a workout plan, get a job, or change their eating habits. Throughout the summer I thought about setting a goal to become vegan when school starts.

Becoming vegan does not just happen overnight, it has to be taken in steps. Since I eat red meat, chicken and fish, I had a plan to eliminate steak first since that's the least I eat from the protein group and then I would slowly eliminate chicken and finally fish. I talked to some friends who are vegan or who are in the process of becoming vegan. Of course they were on board with my decision and said that being vegan will help me lose weight, have better skin and hair, and I will feel 'cleaner.' Growing up Italian-American, my family has always eaten different meats, cheeses, pasta, and of course gelato! I did pitch the idea to my parents and both had different responses. My dad said that he wasn't sure if that would be the healthiest decision for me because I'm still growing and that I should always have protein. My mom said that it could be a good thing to try but I don't have to label my diet in order to be healthy. That's when I realized, do I need to go vegan to be healthy? Am I even ready to make this extreme decision?

I also realized that being vegan is more than just the diet. There's vegan beauty products, clothes, and even furniture. Although I currently use some vegan beauty products such as Lush, I realized that this whole lifestyle comes at a price, an expensive one. I think eventually I would want to become vegan but for now I just don't think I'm ready. I have thought about it all summer and I think my mom is right, I don't need a label for my diet. I want to eat protein because I think it really helps me especially when it comes to being an athlete. However there's always room for improvement. I think if I can maintain my own balanced diet during school, maybe I can explore the whole vegan diet. But for now, having meat and dairy twice a week and the rest fruits, vegetables, quinoa or rice is my kind of plan. You don't have to be vegan to keep a balanced diet.

I think vegans are inspiring and one day my goal will be to go vegan, but for now keeping my own balanced diet that's right for me is the healthiest decision.